by Rose Harper
He drove me absolutely crazy with it when he found out. I could never make fun of his name, because he was named after his father. Bradley Shawn Titan. Where I respected Henry so much, I never dared make fun of it. He knew this and tortured me with the fact for months. When we finally made a truce, he did so very reluctantly. He would always make a reference to having two different girls at the same time. A Spanish rose and a spicy white girl.
“I know. I eventually told him that your first name was Claire, but he didn’t put two and two together.”
“But Brad knew who you were the entire time. So why didn’t he …” I stopped when it hit me. He knew all along that if this went great he would see me again. Oh, that sneaky little shit.
I rounded on a smirking Brad. “You devious little shit.”
He shrugged and held his arms out, a shit-eating grin on his face the whole time. “The heart wants what the heart wants. Who am I to get in the middle of those two lovebirds?”
I scoffed, taking a drink of my coffee. “Original, Brad. Simply original.”
We sat there talking about the wedding that I now knew would be held at Good Baptist, just up the road. It was a big church, with the most beautiful stained-glass window. It was the perfect site for a wedding. The church held more than two hundred people in its pews, the walls colored in a deep red, and hardwood flooring. I had to give my mother props for picking such a lovely location for the wedding. The reception, however, would be held at the local hotel ballroom—with a full wet bar. I loved the idea of this wedding happening more and more.
“Oh, before I forget… I need to get you your itineraries,” she squealed excitedly, getting up from the couch to jog down the hall.
I raised an eyebrow at that. “Itineraries?”
Henry chuckled. “Yes, dear. Your mother has everything scheduled out from tomorrow morning all the way until the reception on Sunday.”
I groaned. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I wish I was,” he said sympathetically.
I was about to open my mouth to object, but at that moment she came running up the hallway. Giving me a packet, I began reading it, my eyes widening with every word.
Titan and James: July 6, 2014 Wedding Itinerary
Claire: Maid of Honor
Friday: July 4, 2014
Final Dress Fitting with Best Man: 8:30 AM Sharp
Details: Wear minimal makeup; as not to get stains on the dress. Hair needs to be in a bun, so if dresses need any last-minute alterations, hair is not going to be in the way. Shower needs to be taken before trying on dress, so no oil from skin seeps into it. Be sure to follow each instruction as they are important to not ruin the gown.
Bonding Time with Family (Lunch) at Rossetti’s: 12 PM Sharp
Details: Wear a flowy summer dress; our dining area will be outside and away from others. Heels are a must; do not forget. Light makeup is required, hair should be kept in a bun.
Waxing Appointment with Best Man: 1:30 PM Sharp
Details: Eyebrows and any facial hair. Legs, and toes as well. Bikini area; wouldn’t want to have a bush outline in the satin gown I chose. Last, but certainly not least, underarms.
Hair Appointment with Best Man: 4 PM Sharp
Details: Your hair will be cut, dyed, and styled for dinner; this is a preliminary for our hair appointment on the wedding day.
Nail Appointment with Best Man: 6 PM Sharp
Details: All nails will be done in a white French tip, squared at the tips. No exceptions.
Bonding Time with Family (Dinner) Country Club: 8 PM Sharp
Details: Must dress in a gown, floor length if available. Emerald in color. Henry gave me a Black AmEx card for you; please pick this up before you leave in the morning.
That is all for Friday.
Was she being for real right now? I would be spending the whole freaking day with Brad tomorrow. Was she trying to kill me? There was no way I would be able to do any of this stuff with him being there. For one, I would be partially naked throughout the dress fitting. The second being the damn waxing appointment. Was she fucking crazy? I could not get my girl parts waxed with him there. I knew that he wasn’t going to be in the same room as me, but damn. Just him being in the same building as me while that’s being done is overstepping so, so many boundaries.
After I finished reading, Brad bellowed with laughter. I glared at him before pinning my mother with a death glare. “There is no way I am going to spend all damn day with that heathen.”
She sighed. “Claire, be sensible. It makes perfect sense. Your appointments are at the same time. So, why not? Just be a good girl and follow the itinerary word for word.”
I flopped down against the back of the couch, sulking. She was personally trying to send me to an early grave, I was sure of it. She knew that I wouldn’t be able to say no to her. I could see that she was still looking at me, waiting for an answer. I groaned, nodding my head. She clapped her hands together happily. I laid my head against the back of the couch, closing my eyes. This day was just getting to be too much. I really wanted a long soak in my bath and then pass out in my old bed.
I felt the couch dip, telling me that Brad was inching closer. I opened my eyes when he finished settling in. He looked at me and smiled. “Looks like you’re stuck with me tomorrow, Claire. I wonder what we can get into.”
I rolled my eyes. “Hmm. Probably our wedding clothes. That’s the only thing we’re going to be getting into.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Okay, smartass, that’s not what I meant.”
“You didn’t specify, stink ass,” I fired back.
“Stink ass? Hell, it’s been forever since I heard that,” he chuckled.
I laughed, getting up from the couch. I was tired of sitting here while my mother and Henry talked about the wedding. I was all tuckered out from going on and on about it. I was happy for her, but there was only so much to talk about before you ran it in the ground; and that had been hours ago. I took my cup to the kitchen, slipping out the back door as I did. Locating the swing that was at the edge of the wood line facing the house, I made my way to it.
I smiled when I sat down, swinging for the first time. It had been so long since I simply just let go and had a nice swing. There was something soothing about the steady rocking back and forth motion. Like you were being transported back in time to when your parents took you to the park to have some fun. There had been many times I wanted to visit a park in New York and just swing to my little heart’s content.
But I never found the time. I was always working, hanging out with Alex, or hell, working. Being in the hustle and bustle of the city, you hardly found time for yourself just to let go and relax. If only for this one moment in time, I was glad that I made the trip down here. It gave me a chance to unwind from the city. To slow down and just be. It felt liberating.
I was so lost in thought basking in the warm night air blowing through my hair, that I almost didn’t hear the heavy footsteps of someone coming closer. My swinging instantly ceased as I narrowed my eyes in the direction it was coming from. I could see nothing but the distant glow of the lights inside the house, as a silhouette of a man came toward me. I inwardly groaned. He was not going to give me one ounce of peace while I was here.
“I figured this was where you ran off to,” he whispered, coming to a stop in front of me. “Mind if I sit?”
I knew that sooner or later he and I would have to have a discussion as adults, and now was as good a time as any. We were going to be stepsiblings after all. I shuddered at the thought of Brad being my stepbrother. So much had happened between us. I didn’t think this was going to work. But I had to make an effort, if not for myself, then for my mother and Henry.
“Sure,” I breathed.
I slid over, making room for him. He sat without a word, crossing one leg and resting it on his knee. We sat in silence, listening to the sounds of the wildlife around us. Out of the last ten years, this was the last thing I expected w
ould happen. That Brad and I could sit next to each other over an extended period of time, not killing each other. Hell, the thought never even went through my mind. I was still upset about the way he’d handled things back then, but who was I to judge?
We both did things back then that we regretted. At least I hoped he regretted what he did. I barely made out, through the night, as the house lights began shutting off one by one. It seemed that my mom and Henry were retiring for the night. She hadn’t told me that he was staying, but that was a given. However, I did think once or twice that since she stayed with him that that is where she would be staying.
At that point, I’d considered getting a hotel, because there was no way I was going to listen to my mother and Henry pork all night. She may be my partner in crime, but she was still my mother. That would just be too gross. I was about to head inside when Brad let out a troubled sigh. Leaning back, I waited for him to say something, anything that would give me a reason to talk with him. I know; it was pathetic, really. But I wanted answers to questions that have gone a decade without being answered.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
I cocked my head to the side, teasingly. “Huh? I didn’t quite hear that.”
He chuckled. “I said, I’m sorry.”
I feigned ignorance. “About what?”
“You’re going to make this difficult, aren’t you?” he groaned, shifting on the swing next to me.
“That depends. Does it have to be difficult?”
We sat there for a few more minutes in comfortable silence. It felt so weird being this close to him and not having the urge to strangle the very life from him. I found that the advice Henry gave me the day I left had helped me tremendously. After enacting my revenge on him, three times. I didn’t feel the need to hurt him anymore. I just wanted all this to be over; and the only way to do that would be to forgive him for what he did to me all those years ago. However, that would never happen unless he admitted that what he did to me was wrong.
“I suppose not,” he tipped his head to the side, then turned to face me. “I’m just going to come right out and say it. I was an asshole the last time we saw each other. Instead of believing you, I believed someone that was just looking out for herself. Damn, I’m just so sorry.” I was about to speak when he waved his hand for me not to. Any other time I would have said what I felt, but what I felt right now was that he needed to get this out.
“So much happened in such a short time that I was scared. I had no idea how to act. I was constantly afraid of losing you. But I guess when the opportunity had risen that I could get a clean break, I took it. It didn’t matter that it was wrong, and boy was it fucking wrong as hell. I still took it. I betrayed the woman I loved, all because I was scared shitless.” His voice broke at the end of his explanation.
Finally. He apologized. About freaking time; I was starting to grow old over here waiting for him to quit pussyfooting around and get to the point. I smiled a genuine smile, happy with the fact that he finally, after all this time, apologized for his wrongdoing. I leaned over, placing an innocent kiss on his cheek. His sharp inhale of breath told me that my touch still affected him. In all honesty, having his skin against mine wreaked havoc on my body as well.
“Thank you,” I whispered, breaking the kiss.
The air around us instantly charged. My body began warming from being so close to him. My lips were still tingling from kissing his cheek. His eyes locked with mine. His dazzling blues seemed to glow underneath the silver light. My body began to hum with a heat it hadn’t felt in a long time. A deep ache began to unfurl in my lower abdomen, making a rush of crimson stain my heated cheeks. My breathing turned huskier the more he stared at me.
“Claire,” his deep, gravelly voice whispered with pure seductive intent.
His eyes flicked down to my lips just briefly, before returning to mine. Time seemed to stand still in this perfect moment. Neither he nor I made any move to back away from the other. The muscles underneath his shirt began to twitch, as if he were physically holding himself back, reigning in his lust to taste a bit more. After a few moments, my breathing turned into panting, his growing huskier. Just then it happened. He leaned forward, pausing just before his lips touched mine.
I licked my lips, waiting for the moment his would touch mine. Leaning forward more, his lips sealed themselves over mine. Just the tiniest touch of his lips set me on fire. Liquid instantly pooled in my core. It had been so long since I’d felt the softness of his manly lips. His hand came up to thread his fingers through the hair at the nape of my neck, and his tongue probed against my lips, begging for me to open for him. I gave in, sighing against his mouth. The moment my mouth opened, his tongue swept in.
I was lost.
His kiss branding me forever.
He groaned when my body melted against him. Taking his other hand, he cupped my cheek. With every swipe of his tongue, I wanted more … no, needed more. Just as his hand slid from my hair and down to my ass, his grip tightened. That’s when reality decided to rear its ugly head. This was wrong—on so many levels. Our time to be together had long since passed. There was no chance of anything between us being able to transpire. So why go through the heartbreak all over again?
“We can’t do this, Brad,” I whimpered against his lips.
“Why?” he asked, still lost in the throes of passion.
Reluctantly pulling back from him, his lips looked deliciously swollen from our kiss. “Because it’s not right.”
His eyes lost their luster from before. “Who says it’s not right?”
Shaking my head, I went to get up from the swing, only to have him touch my hand lightly, stopping me. With my front turned away from him, I replied, “It’s not right for soon-to-be siblings to kiss. Added to the fact you were a complete and total dick the last time I saw you. I’d say, it’s never happening.”
“Dammit. Stepsiblings. Step being the operative word, Claire. We are not going to be related. Not really, anyway,” he snapped, completely bypassing my words about the last time we saw each other.
With that I walked away, hearing him say into the night. “I’ll wear you down, girl. Just you wait and see.”
I had a feeling that the chase for him just began, like he was the big bad wolf and I was little red riding hood. If it was left up to him, I was sure the only thing I would be wearing was the red cape while he gobbled me up. I didn’t lie when I said his kiss had branded me; it had. I was ruined for all other men now. He’d completely wrecked my world with a simple kiss. It was going to be so hard to be around him, especially when I’d been his for so long. I was kidding myself when I thought he didn’t mean anything to me anymore.
I’d spent the last decade lying to myself, and just like the idiot I am, I believed it. But I couldn’t let this happen; it would crush my mother’s heart. I needed to keep my libido in check until I got back to New York. If only I could limit the exposure I had with Brad. Maybe then I would be able to make it out of Cedar Grove in one piece.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Hearing my alarm the next morning, I wanted to scream at the son of a bitch. It had been hell falling asleep listening to all the moaning and groaning coming up from my mother’s room. I had no idea how the bed was able to make it through their all night assault. I thought once or twice I was going to be sick just from being in the same house as them. It leaves lasting scars when you hear your mother getting it on right underneath you. I shuddered at the thought. God, it was only six a.m. and I was already going to need a drink.
Donning my running clothes, which consisted of a sports bra, spandex short shorts, and tennis shoes. I made my way down the stairs. A good run would definitely clear my mind. Since it was so early in the morning, I knew from experience that no one would be around at this time. I was glad for that. There was nothing worse than running around the streets in practically nothing and have old geezers look at you like, yeah, if I had my hip replacement already, I’d tap that for sure.
>
It was downright disgusting to see all the old men on my street in New York ogle me like that. Most of them were suave businessmen that thought their shit didn’t stink; no such luck there. But still, it was revolting just thinking about it. I grimaced, stepping out the front door. I began stretching, putting my butt against the door and reaching to my left ankle first, then my right. I was about to lift back up when the front door opened suddenly, and I found myself falling backward into strong arms.
I glanced up and blushed. It was Henry, in nothing but a damn robe. Oh my … I could have lived my entire life without seeing that. However, it was extremely funny. I giggled at the sight of him in my mother’s pink, bunny-covered robe. It wasn’t too manly, but somehow, he pulled it off. He stood me back up, an embarrassed blush taking over his time-weathered features.
“Nice robe,” I choked out through laughter.
He ran his hand through his hair, his blush deepening. “Ah … thanks. It was the only thing your mother had that was big enough.”
I waved him away. “No need to explain, Henry. It suits you,” I chortled.
It looked like he had just noticed what I was wearing, because his features twisted into a pained look. “What are you wearing? That’s not even considered clothing, young lady,” he admonished.
“Henry, yes, it is. It covers everything, I’ll be just fine.”
His look said that he didn’t believe me, but he didn’t say anything else about it. He grabbed the paper and went inside, shutting the door behind him. I was stretching my arms when he reopened the door. I looked back at him inquisitively. “Yes?”
He chuckled. “don’t go up Maple Street, okay? Trust me.”
I furrowed my brows at his statement, but he just seemed to laugh at something and shut the door. I shook off his weird behavior. Putting my earbuds in my ears, I turned my running playlist on and set out for my morning run. It was so peaceful when I went running. It was like nothing and no one could get to me. The faster I pushed my waking limbs, the deeper the burn set in. It felt good taking care of your body; even doing the smallest things can help.